Interim Hearings

The Court encourages you to use dispute resolution services to resolve your dispute. Dispute resolution provides you with an opportunity to reach an agreement without the need for the Court to make an order.

Before filing an application for a parenting order, you (as the applicant) must obtain a certificate from a family dispute resolution practitioner. There are, however, certain exceptions which are outlined in the brochure ‘Compulsory Family Dispute Resolution – court procedures and requirements’.

If you do not file a certificate or an affidavit satisfying the requirements for an exemption, the Court cannot accept your application.

Note – Specific applications are required for divorce and contravention applications. Some child support applications also require the use of a specific form..Information on child support applications is available on the Family Law website.

eFiling – Applications for Divorce (and certain accompanying documents) can now be electronically filed through the Commonwealth Courts Portal (www.comcourts.gov.au).

Initiating applications can also be eFiled through the Commonwealth Courts Portal (www.comcourts.gov.au).

Responding to an Application

To respond to application for order, a respondent should file:

Response

Affidavit

Financial Statement (for financial matters)You can file documents with the Court in person or by post.View registry contact details. You must file the original and a copy for each party to the case. The Court will keep the original and return the sealed copies to you. You must then arrange to serve a sealed copy on each party. You should also keep a copy of all documents for your records.

First Court Date: The Court will allocate a first court date when you file your documents. This is usually referred to as a ‘duty list’. On this day, the Court may:

Note – Applications for Divorce (and certain accompanying documents) can now be electronically filed through the Commonwealth Courts Portal (www.comcourts.gov.au).

For more details about starting proceedings, see Part 4 of the Federal Circuit Court Rules.

Approve proposed consent orders

Conduct an interim hearing

Finalise the application.

Fix a date for a final hearing.

Directions: These orders will guide the conduct of the matter by ensuring you undertake certain tasks; for example, that you must file a document by a certain date.

Interim hearing: The Court may conduct an interim hearing, time permitted, and make interim orders that are effective until the matter can be finally determined. The Court aims to limit the number of interim hearings in preference to giving a matter an early final hearing.

Fix a final hearing date: Depending on the facts and case management procedures, the Court may fix a date for a final hearing.You (and your lawyer, if you have one) must attend the first court date and have a good understanding of the case. You must also be familiar with all the documents filed and prepared to advise the Judge of the main issues in dispute.

Final hearing - the final outcome you want, and- the facts you are relying on.A final hearing is usually conducted in the following way:

Respondent’s evidence – you (or your lawyer) outlines your case. The applicant may cross-examination you or your witnesses. You may then re-examine your witnesses.

Expert report - If a single expert, such as a family consultant, prepared a report you may cross-examine the expert. See information about Family Reports in the Determination section of this website.After hearing the case, the jusdge may make orders and give reasons for their decision. Alternatively, the Judge may reserve the decision to another day, usually within three months. The Court will inform you of the date so you can attend and provide you with a copy of the decision. The decision will include the orders made and the reasons for the decision.

Closing address – the Court gives you an opportunity to make any final comments in support of your case.

Independent Children’s Lawyer – If there is an independent children’s lawyer appointed, they may also present evidence to the Court and cross-examine you or your witnesses. For more information about Independent Children’s Lawyer go the Determination section of this website.

Applicant’s evidence – you (or your lawyer) outlines your case. The respondent may cross-examine you or your witnesses. You may then re-examine your witnesses.

Note – Unless otherwise approved by the Judge, you must present all evidence to the Court by affidavit.

The length of the final hearing will depend on the facts of the case. At the final hearing, you must know:

Note: The Court operates a docket system. This means that the application will usually be determined by the same Judge from the first court date to the final hearing.

For more details about the first court date, see Division 10.1 of the Federal Circuit Court Rules.

Finalise the application: The Court may hear some applications and make final orders; for example, an application for a passport or an urgent application for a recovery order.

Consent orders: If you reach an agreement on the day, you can present the signed agreement (proposed consent orders) to the Judge and ask them to make the orders by consent. Consent orders can be interim (temporary) or final.

The first court date also provides you with an opportunity to define the issues in dispute and, if possible, reach an agreement.

Important Links

Mobile Apps

iMatter:

The iMatter app has been developed to help young women understand the warning signs of abusive and controlling behaviour in relationships as well as promote healthy self-esteem. The aim is to build resilience, to educate about disrespect and intimate partner violence and to promote conversations among young people about healthy relationship behaviour. Users can share content, save content to their phone and learn how to recognise and address controlling/abusive behaviour and gender inequality, as well as support others who are experiencing violence.

What is Domestic Violence? Are you safe at home? Want to rate your relationship? Are you concerned about a friend or relative? Where can you get help? LiveFree is designed to increase your understanding of domestic violence and provide information about warning signs and links to services. The LiveFree App is currently on iPhones only and will become available on androids in about 8 weeks time.

Web Apps and Projects

Refocus
It’s a free, easy-to-use and interactive App for women who have, are, or thinking of separating.

iDecide
Do you worry about whether your relationship is healthy?
Do you sometimes wonder if you are safe?
If you are a woman aged between 16 and 50 and you have experienced relationship issues over the last 6 months you are invited to take part in this project.